JPH04279941A - Method and equipment for data processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain the replacement of the part of a certain correctable document that is contained in a shared library with a document of another type. CONSTITUTION: A copy command is prepared as necessary, so that an object included in a correctable document is specified to be used during a replacement operation. A replacement option replaces the contents and profile information of an existing document with those of other existing one. The document to be replaced is not revised into a new name and kept in the same name as the document that is assigned in a library. Then it is required for the document to be replaced to keep its correctable state in a folder. The document that is used for the replacement of the contents and profile information of documents is not changed and kept as it is even after the replacement of documents.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data processing method and apparatus, and more particularly to a data processing method and apparatus for replacing portions of one document with corresponding portions of another document.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic office systems are often used to share information by using data storage devices called electronic libraries. These electronic shared libraries can be accessed by users of a common network and
It can also be accessed by users of the network that interconnects the devices or programs. A user (ie, an end user) can be a person, device, program, or computer system that utilizes a system to process and exchange information. In such a system, a user must frequently create new documents in a target library while using documents in a source library, or frequently add new documents to existing folders. Here, the term "source library" refers to an actual location where the contents of documents are stored. In contrast, the term "target library" refers to the location where you want a new copy of the source document. Although source and target libraries are often different, they can even exist within the same library.

0003

One problem with creating new documents is that it requires issuing two separate commands. The first command, the retrieval command, reads the document from the source library. The second command, the File command, stores the newly read document in the target library. Therefore, two independent operations are required each time a new document is to be generated.

Another problem with generating new documents is that the target library document cannot be called by a unique name. Users are limited to the name with which the system was created and cannot use their own unique names for newly generated documents. This restriction makes it impossible to generate new documents by combining related documents grouped into existing folders from a source library.

Yet another problem arises when modifiable documents, represented as corrections to individual objects, exist within a shared library. Modifications are frequently performed on fewer than all objects, or on only a single object. Because changes to modifiable documents must be made at copy time and transmitted to the shared library, significant protection is provided if only changed objects are transmitted. What is needed is a way to copy a document by one unit of work while potentially denying copying the object. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a method for replacing a portion of a document in a modifiable format in a shared library with a portion of another document.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve such problems, in the present invention, the descriptive information and contents of a first document in a target library are transferred by a user to descriptive information and contents of a second document from a source library. In a data processing method for replacing information and content, a first decision step of determining whether a first document of a target library is modifiable; and a user accessing a first document of a target library; a second decision step of determining whether to access a second document of the source library; and when the first document is modifiable and the user is accessing the first and second documents. and copying the descriptive information and content of the second document into the descriptive information and content of the first document.

[0007]

Operation: Specifies objects in a modifiable format document to be used during a replacement or partial copy operation by providing copy commands as needed. The replace option causes the document content and profile content of an existing document to be replaced with the content and profile of another existing document. The document to be replaced maintains the same name as the library assignment document without generating a new name. The document to be replaced resides in a folder and only a modifiable format state is required. The document content and the document used to replace the profile remain unchanged after the replacement operation is completed.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a data processing system used to implement the method of the present invention. As shown, data processing system 8 is connected to multiple networks, such as local area networks (LANs) 10 and 3.
2, each local area network (LAN) 1
0 and 32 include a plurality of individual computers 12 and 30, respectively. Multiple intelligent workstations (IWS) coupled to a host processor may be used for each network.

Data processing systems of this type typically have each individual computer coupled to a storage device 14 and/or a printer/output device 16. One or more storage devices 14 are connected to data processing system 8 by the method of the present invention.
Used to store application or resource objects that are accessed periodically by users within the system. As is known in the art, each such application or resource object stored in the storage device 14 is coupled to a resource management device that maintains and updates all associated resource objects. In response to this, efforts have been made to respond to this.

Further in FIG. 1, data processing network 8 includes a plurality of main frame computers, such as main frame computer 18.
8 is optionally coupled to a local area network (LAN) 10 by a communication link 22. Main frame computer 18 is also used as a remote storage device for local area network (LAN) 10. Similarly, local area network (LAN) 1
0 is coupled to gateway server 28 via communications link 24 and further through subsystem control unit/communications controller 26 and communications link 34. Gateway server 28 is a local area network (LAN)
32 to a local area network (LAN) 10, or an intelligent workstation (IWS).

Local area network (LAN) 3
2 and 10, resource objects are stored in storage device 20 and controlled by main frame computer 18, which acts as a resource manager for the resource objects thus stored. Main frame computer 18 may be located far away from local area network (LAN) 10, and may similarly be located far away from local area network (LAN) 10.
LAN) 10 is a local area network (LAN)
It may be provided at a location remote from 32. That is, although the local area network (LAN) 32 is located in California, the local area network (LAN) 10 is located in Texas, and the main frame computer 18 is located in New York. good.

When a user of an individual computer 30 or 12 wishes to access a resource object of storage device 20 coupled to main frame computer 18, as is the case in this type of system, the resource object is The information is stored using a communications architecture that allows it to be transmitted from one type of data management system to another without regard to its content. A conventional communication architecture is "Document Interchange Architecture (DIA)." The document exchange architecture is a program-to-program communication architecture,
Programs that exchange information such as documents and messages can be driven in a consistent and predictive manner. The document exchange architecture is independent of the format of the information being managed. The document exchange architecture includes document objects that have parameters or articles that describe the content of the information being conveyed. Articles included in the object are
The name when information is filed between other items,
Contains the owner, subject of the information, and date when the information was filed.

Further, in FIG. 1, the library 20 includes:
When implemented using a document exchange architecture structure, it can be accessed flexibly and simultaneously by multiple users, thus acting as a common repository or shared resource. Unlike the shared library 20, users' personal private documents are stored in the local storage resource 14. This local storage resource 14 is normally not shared with other users. When a user files a document in the library 20, the resource management device's library server creates parameters or articles that describe the content of the information stored in the library.

FIG. 2 shows a basic document model for information stored in library 20 as shown in FIG. This document model is created and stored with each document. Although it is not necessary to supplement the basic document models to accurately support the library services architecture of the document exchange architecture, it is required when planning for these models or a subset of the models. A description of each element of the basic document model is provided below.

User profile object 36 (U
PO) is not part of the Document Interchange Architecture document model, but instead takes the place of documents referenced by the Document Interchange Architecture document model. A user profile object 36 is created if the displayed user is a registered member of the office system network. The user profile object identifies the user and includes information about the user, such as aliases, services to which the user is authorized, default explanation information, and information specified by other users.

Document Model Object (DMO) 30 is the heart of the document exchange architecture document model and is the logical first object created when a document is first filed into a document library. Document model object 30 contains information regarding ownership and attributes of a particular document. In particular, the document model object 30 is a document representing characteristics such as items indicating whether a document can be edited, the maximum number of versions, and actions to be taken when a user wants to edit a document that cannot be edited. Contains.

Access Control Model Object (ACM
O) 32 is generated when a document is first filed into the document exchange architecture. The primary purpose of the access control model object 32 is to organize information used in determining non-proprietary access to a document. Access control model object 3
For example, 2 is an item indicating whether or not a document can be accessed by an unspecified person (public person), and access is permitted for a limited number of times to an explicitly specified user (private user). It includes access control information such as an item indicating whether the information is shared with other users or not. A document history record object (DHLO) 34 is created as needed when a user wishes to record various actions on a document when it is filed in a library. For example, a user may want to record the number of times the document has been read and by whom.

A document relationship object (DRO) 42 is created when a document is first filed into a library. Its purpose is to describe the relationship of one document to other documents or the logical relationship between grouped documents. For example, the document exchange architecture may include other documents as folder documents to be generated. If such a relationship exists, each document contained within the folder has a pointer entry that calls the library assigned document name (LADN) in the document relationship object 42. A version control object (VCO) 40 is created when a document is first filed into a library and contains information for multiple objects that have a single version name attached to the document.

Profile Content Object (PCO)
44 is created when the document is first filed into the library if the user wants to create subobjects for performance or other reasons. Document content object 44 provides a repository for profile information related to sub-objects. Document content object (D
CO) 46 is created when a document is first filed into the library, thus providing a repository for document content. In addition, document content object 46 provides a storage device for maintaining information regarding the actual size of documents in various software units.

Search Index Object (SIO)
) 48 contains entries used when searching within a document. This entry is placed in search index object 48 as a result of the order of processing operations on other objects that follow. Document model object 30 is first called as part of processing file commands. At this time, the library server stores the profile content object 44 and the document related object 42.
and access control model objects 32 to find items to be used to confirm the parametric search.

As each item is identified, an entry is made in a search index object 48 having a name that includes the value and meaning of the parametric search item. If the search index object 48 does not exist when the library server scans the above-mentioned object, the search index object 48 will be created and the search index object 48 will be used as if the search index object 48 had always existed. An entry is placed in search index object 48. Reservation Search Index Object (RSIO) 38
is placed to confirm the removal entry in search index object 48 when a document is removed from the library by a delete command. An entry for a parametric search item is also placed in the reserved search index object 38 at the same time that an entry is made for the search index object 48.

FIG. 3 shows the copy command in the order of the operands used. This copy command is used to copy, replace, read, or read documents in the library 20 of FIG. The Copy command feature uses existing documents in the source library to create new documents in the target library. To achieve the objectives of the invention, the target library is comprised of a storage device, and the information is written to the storage device while the source library is in the location where the information currently resides. The requester (user) inserts new documents into existing folder documents in the target library as needed. The source library and target library do not have to be the same when using the copy command. The requester must have at least read access to the source document, and must maintain access to the folder into which the document is copied, as well as the newly created document to the target document. A new Library Assigned Document Name (LADN) is generated for the new document in the target library.

The replace option of the copy command provides the requester with an Interchange Document Profile (IDP) and the document contents of the document existing in the target library and the document contents existing in the source library with the Interchange Document Profile (IDP). Allow to replace. The document status of the document to be replaced must be able to be modified for subsequent copy commands (X'02')
. The requester must have at least read access to the document and edit access to the document to be replaced. Requesters are not allowed to specify folder options for source libraries. The replace option specifies the library-assigned document name (LA) of the document to be replaced.
DN) is not changed.

The extract option of the copy command allows documents to be extracted from the source library and copied to the target library. The documents in the source library must be modifiable, and changes to other documents cannot be in progress while the pull function is running. Once a requester is granted withdrawal authority, the profile and content of the documents in the source library cannot be changed. Finally, the fill option of the copy command is used to check the documents previously pulled into the target library. The fill option is used to inspect documents returned to the target library as well as delete documents in the source library as needed. The document profile is constantly inspected (as needed) along with the document content.

Furthermore, the identification data operand in FIG. 3 is a request-only operand for a copy command. This operand specifies the source document name used in the command. This is the existing document that will be copied to the target library. The identification data operand is an operand that can be selected as necessary, as shown in brackets [ ]. This operand is used to indicate whether the source document has been placed in a folder. If the source document is placed in a folder, the copy command uses the unique name of the existing folder to perform the operation.

The reference data operand is used to indicate that the source document is to be copied to a document in the target library. When used in this manner, this operand's reference data identification data (RDID)
) sub-operand value must match the value of the reference data identification data (RDID) in the identification data operand (identifying the source document) and the comparison REL sub-operand against the reference data identification data (RDID). must specify simple copying. The reference data operand is used to supply the "copy authorization" sub-operand. This sub-operand is used to identify the reference object within the document library that is to be granted. Newly generated documents when extant are owned by the requester or the proxy user (if any).
It has the same authorization functions as the base object, except when set from .

The authorization operand allows the requester to specify access privileges on the newly generated document for users other than the owner (including users authorized to act on the owner's behalf). do. Authorization operands are used to provide access control information. This information is stored in the access control model object (AC
MO). This information includes parameters for explicit authorizations, preferred authorizations, security levels, shared authorization lists and so-called user lists. The authorization operand is used in conjunction with the reference data operand to identify existing document objects in the document library for which access privileges should be replicated for the new document. This information is copied from the access control model object in the baseline document and
Used to create a new document access control model object.

The source service operand specifies the GCID of the library name in which the source document exists and the first to forty-fourth character library names. The missing source service operand is the attached host. Similarly, the target service operand specifies the GCID of the library name in which the new document exists and the names of the first to forty-fourth character documents. What is missing is the attached host. The copy option operand is used as necessary; if it is not present, simple copying will not be performed. In FIG. 6, the configuration for the document options operand is shown along with the applicable values for the "CHK" operand. The setting of this operand is determined when a simple copy, replace, fill or pull function is performed. For simple copying, documents are copied from a source library to a target library. However, if a copy option operand is present, either replace, fill, or withdraw is specified by the "CHK" operand. A requester using the withdraw option of the copy option operand can obtain a copy of the profile and contents of the modifiable document and have the copy in the target library.

[0030] The requester needs to read access to the document, and no changes are made to the document as it progresses when the retrieval function is performed. The profile and contents of the retrieved document in the source library are frozen and subsequent requests for the document are denied. However, the requester can change the document permissions for the retrieved documents in the source library.

When documents are sequentially retrieved for a source library, the source library's library service retrieves the document model object (DMO) of the retrieved document.
) generates a set of elicitation parameters. The document state of the retrieved document is also changed from a modifiable unlocked state to a modifiable locked state, thereby preventing other users from retrieving or modifying the document until the document is returned. The elicitation parameter set is deleted when the document is subsequently filled out. In addition, the target library's library service always generates a fill parameter set in the document model object for new documents that are newly present in the target library. The fill parameter set field contains information needed to fill out the document late, such as the name of the source library from which the document was drawn. The retrieval requester must maintain access to the folder where the document was copied by having editing access to the retrieved document. The requester must become the owner of the newly generated document.

[0032] Also, via the copy option operand, the document is filled out following transposition or transformation. Fill-in options can be used following filling in a document without deleting the document. The fill with delete option deletes documents in the source library by examining the documents returned to the target library. The copy command requests that the document profile be examined according to document content. The original library assigned document name of the pulled document (
LADN) is used when the document is returned to the library. When a document is first retrieved, a set of input parameters is created in the document model object (DMO) of the target document, and a set of retrieved parameters is created in the source document. During filling, these parameters are compared and filling of the document is allowed only if they match. Also, entries are made in the document model object (D) of the source document.
MO) does not match the one in the target, or if the requestor has at least changed authority over the document to be filled out.

[0033] Once the document has been filled out, the contents of the document in the exchange document profile and target library are replaced with those in the source library. The library service deletes the target document's pull parameter set and
The document status is changed from a modifiable locked state to a modifiable non-locked state.

Entries can also be used without deleting documents in the source library. The fill-with-no-delete option is used to return documents from the source library to the target library without deleting the documents in the source library. Only the target library name and the Library Assigned Document Name (LADN) of the document in the target library are erased in the source library. The document state of the document in the target library is changed from a modifiable locked state to a modifiable non-locked state, and the parameters in the withdrawal parameter set for the document in the target library are removed. Document profiles must always be checked according to document content (if necessary). During the fill-with-delete option, documents in the source library are previously pulled from the target library and placed in their document model objects (DMOs).
contains the fill parameter set. The user who first retrieves the document must fill it out. The retrieved parameter set in the Document Model Object (DMO) of the document is missing or the requester does not match the retrieved document model object (DMO) retrieved parameter set of the retrieved document. or when the requester does not have at least modification authority over the document to be retrieved, the document cannot be retrieved. Once completed, the contents of the existing Interchange Document Profile (IDF) and target library documents are implemented by replacing those of the source library. The fill-with-no-delete option also allows the target library name and the library assigned document name (LADN) of the document in the source library to be filled without erasing. In such a case, the document state of the document in the target library remains in the modifiable lock state and the withdrawal parameter set of the document in the target library is not removed.

In FIG. 3, the surrogate user operand is optional and identifies the user for whom the copy command is being executed. The user identified by this operand must have the necessary permissions to documents and folders. The variant data operand, if present, is used to add, delete, or replace the identified parameters in the document interchange architecture (DIA) object specified for the new document. This operand applies only to simple copy and withdraw options, not to write options. In addition, the transformation data operand applies only to the top-level document specified by the identification data operand. Singular name operands occur as needed;
Provided for documents to request context-specific names for folders. A unique name is a name assigned to a requester for whom a service is guaranteed, and is a unique name assigned to a requester for an object in a specific context and for which a service is guaranteed. The unique name operand allows the requester to specify:

1. A pointer to an object with a singular name. This is the object RD of the identification data operand.
It is an ID. 2. A pointer to the context of the singular name. This is the context RDID pointing to the reference data operand. 3. Generate or reject options. This allows the requester to specify whether a request name should be used or not, and if it is not specific to the context then the generated allowed name is used. This option also allows the requester to specify whether the requested name can be obtained from the existing context rather than that provided in the operand. If the generated name is used, it is returned to the requester according to the supplied name or the name in the reply data operand. If a reject option is specified and the requested name is not unique, the command is rejected. If there are more contexts than the one requested, the reject option applies to the entire command. 4. Contextual formats, e.g. library services. 5. The required name to be given to the document for the specified context. This is ignored if the raise/reject option is specified to use an existing name. 6. A pointer to the source context of the existing singular name. This is the source RDID pointing to the reference data operand from the folder. This is required if the raise/reject option is specified to use an existing name. Ignored if the raise/reject option is not specified to use an existing name.

[0037] If the document status operand is present, it specifies the status in which the newly generated document will be placed at the end of the copying operation. This operand is supplied if the copy command causes a new document to be generated. Ignored if supplied with a copy command that does not create a new document. If this operand is not specified, the document state of the newly generated document can be changed. The defer option operand allows specifications such that portions of the copy request should be executed immediately (synchronously) and the balance of the request should be completed later (asynchronously). For example, in the case of simple copying, the deferred option operand is used to copy the document (
private) is immediately obtained from the source library (source service) and held (X'02') until later filed with the target library (target service). For the case of fill-with-delete, a copy (private) of the document is immediately obtained from the source library (source service) and later filed in the target library (target service) (
files). The document in the source service is then deleted. This operation is an atomic operation.

The value of the delay option is set in cases where modification of the copy of the document from the source library and filing to the target library occurs before the confirmation signal is returned to the requester. When the value of the delay option is set to X "02" by simple copying, the following copying function is realized. 1. Modify copying of documents from source libraries. 2. Generates a submit command with a file command. A DIA service router is used to request a submission command on behalf of the requester. The general delivery service returns a unique delivery identifier (UDI) for the file command via the confirmation command. The copy command then returns the unique send identifier to the requester of the copy command via the file command. This unique send identifier is then used by the copy requestor to request an SRQB for the status of the file request. A deferred option is not deferred if there are no operands.

In FIG. 4, when the "SRR" copy command is executed, the library service returns a reply to the requester. In the case of a simple copy, when the document is finished copying to the target library and the document is added to the folder, the target library service updates the document relationship objects (DROs) for both the document and the folder. The response to the execution of the copy command is the "NRR" confirmation command shown in FIG. The completed status is returned in the execution reply operand. The library-assigned document name (LADN) of the generated or replaced document is returned to the new document unique name requestor as status information in the response data operand of the confirmation command (if any). When multiple documents are copied, the response data operand includes a new library-assigned document name (LADN), a document identifier, and a unique name for each newly generated document.

In FIG. 5, when the fill option is executed and a document is found in the target library, the document profile and contents in the source library are replaced with the document profile and contents in the source library. replaced by The document's original library-assigned document name (LADN) remains unchanged. The reply to the fill/copy command is a confirmation command. The finished state is returned in the exclude action operand of the recognition command. Returning to FIG. 4, when the document is retrieved to the target library, the response is made via the recognition command. As mentioned above for the case of simple copying,
The completed state is returned to the exclude action operand. The new document's library-assigned document name (LADN) and unique name are responded to the requester as status information in the response data operand of the recognition command. When multiple documents are copied, the response data operand then includes a new library-assigned document name (LADN), a document identifier, and each newly generated unique name.

[0042]

The present invention provides a method for copying documents in a shared library that may include folder documents. A single copy command provides the user with options for copying, replacing, filling in, or inspecting documents from an acceptable library. The copy option of the copy command uses existing documents in the source document to create a new document in the target library. The user optionally allows source documents to be copied to folders in the target library by giving unique names to the folders. A user can copy specific objects to form a document by using the replace option of the copy command. The replace option replaces an interchange document profile (IDP) with the document content of the target document and the document content of the source document with the IDP. The extract option of the copy command is used to generate documents in the target library from documents in the source library. Changes to the profile and content of documents in the source library are prohibited until the documents in the target library are returned to the library. The fill option of the copy command is used to return previously retrieved documents to the target library. The fill option gives the user the option to delete or keep the source after it has been returned to the target library. The copy command provides the user with a simple and flexible command to copy documents in a shared library according to the available operands.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a document exchange processing system in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic document model generated to file each document in the shared library of the system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a document exchange copy command with available operands.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a standard response generated when the copy command of FIG. 3 is executed.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a standard response generated when the copy command of FIG. 3 is executed.

6 is a schematic diagram showing the basic structure of a copy option operand for the copy command shown in FIG. 3; FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

8...Data processing system, 10, 32...Local area network (LAN), 12, 30...Individual computer, 14...Storage device, 16...Printer/output device, 18...Main frame computer, 22 ,24,
34...Communication link, 26...Subsystem control unit/communication controller.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A data processing method for replacing descriptive information and content of a first document in a target library by a user with descriptive information and content of a second document from a source library, comprising: a first decision step of determining whether the first document is modifiable; the user accessing the first document in the target library and accessing a second document in the source library; a second decision step of deciding whether to
When the first document is modifiable and the user is accessing the first and second documents, the descriptive information and contents of the second document are A data processing method comprising the step of copying the content. 2. The first determining step includes determining whether the first document of the target library is within a folder document. data processing methods. Claim 3: The replacement of explanatory information is performed by one unit of work.
Data processing methods described in Section. 4. A data processing program adapted to replace descriptive information and content of a first modifiable document of a shared library within a data processing system by a user with descriptive information and content of a second document. In the apparatus, a first determining means for determining whether the first modifiable document of the target library is in a modifiable state, and the user is accessing the first modifiable document of the target library. a second determining means for determining whether the second document of the source library is accessed; and the first document is modifiable and the first and second documents are accessed by the user. and means for copying the explanatory information and contents of the second document into the explanatory information and contents of the first document. 5. The data processing program device according to claim 4, wherein the replacement of explanatory information and content is performed by one unit of work. 6. A plurality of workstations coupled to a host processor; a plurality of source libraries coupled to the host processor and capable of being simultaneously accessed by a plurality of users through the plurality of workstations; a storage means having a target library; a first determining means for determining whether a first existing document in one of the plurality of target libraries is in a modifiable state; a second document determining whether one of the users of the plurality of target libraries accesses the first document residing in the one of the plurality of target libraries and accesses a second document residing in the plurality of source libraries; determining means, when the first existing document is in the modifiable state and one of the plurality of users accesses the first and second existing documents;
and means for copying a portion of the second existing document into a portion corresponding to the existing document. 7. A storage device; first determining means for determining whether to access a plurality of documents in the storage device prepared as a source library and a target library; a second determining means for determining whether a plurality of documents are in a modifiable state; and a correspondence between a portion of the plurality of documents in a source library and a document in one of the plurality of target libraries. 1. A data processing device, comprising: means for replacing a portion of the data processing device.